US startup to build cruise missile factory in Leipzig with Peter Thiel backing

A US startup has announced intentions to set up a cruise-missile manufacturing plant in Leipzig, marking the first such facility in Germany. The project will be financed by Peter Thiel, the venture capitalist with close connections to President Trump. German policymakers view the effort as a means to bolster national defence capabilities and reduce dependence on US arms supplies amid concerns over Russian aggression.

While the company’s identity remains undisclosed, the plan includes creating a production line for advanced cruise missiles on German territory. The initiative reflects a broader trend of private-sector involvement in European defence procurement. Officials expect the plant to enhance Germany’s strategic autonomy and support allied security objectives.